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Love Poems for People with Children
In the spirit of his wildly popular New Yorker pieces and the New York Times bestseller Love Poems for Married People , Thurber-prize winner John Kenney presents a hilarious new collection of poetry for people with children.
With the same brilliant wit and hilarious realism that made Love Poems for Married People such a hit, John Kenney is back with a brand new collection of poems, this time taking on the greatest "joy" in children. Kenney covers it all, from newborns, toddlers, and sleep deprivation, to the terrible twos, terrible tweens, and terrible teens. A parent's love is unconditional, but sometimes that button can't help but be pushed. Between back to school shopping, summer vacations that never end, the awkwardness of puberty, the inevitable post-college moving back in, and more, a parent's job is never done, whether they like it or not.
With the same brilliant wit and hilarious realism that made Love Poems for Married People such a hit, John Kenney is back with a brand new collection of poems, this time taking on the greatest "joy" in children. Kenney covers it all, from newborns, toddlers, and sleep deprivation, to the terrible twos, terrible tweens, and terrible teens. A parent's love is unconditional, but sometimes that button can't help but be pushed. Between back to school shopping, summer vacations that never end, the awkwardness of puberty, the inevitable post-college moving back in, and more, a parent's job is never done, whether they like it or not.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2019
45 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
About the author
John Kenney
74 books406 followersJohn Kenney is the author of three novels and four books of poetry, including Love Poems for Married People. His first novel, Truth in Advertising, won the Thurber Prize for American humor. He is also the author of Talk to Me, which received a starred Kirkus review. He is a long-time contributor to The New Yorker magazine’s Shouts & Murmurs. He lives in Larchmont, NY, with his wife, Lissa, and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
December 3, 2019
3.5 stars
"No offense to either of you,
but I preferred the idea of kids
to actual kids"
-- excerpt from 'For Lulu & Hewitt'
Author Kenney extolls the joy (cough cough) and trials of parenthood in the 21st century with his collection of 40+ poems. Much of the humor - which could effortlessly translate into a stand-up routine - is droll and on-target in this slim volume, with some occasionally laugh-worthy moments like 'JFK-LAX' (a cross-country flight with a toddler), 'Saturday Night' (where did the couple's time and energy for fun go?) and the very self-explanatory 'My Six Year-Old Got Ahold of My Phone.' While not necessarily a must-read, it was a gentle reminder of the truth that exists in comedy.
"No offense to either of you,
but I preferred the idea of kids
to actual kids"
-- excerpt from 'For Lulu & Hewitt'
Author Kenney extolls the joy (cough cough) and trials of parenthood in the 21st century with his collection of 40+ poems. Much of the humor - which could effortlessly translate into a stand-up routine - is droll and on-target in this slim volume, with some occasionally laugh-worthy moments like 'JFK-LAX' (a cross-country flight with a toddler), 'Saturday Night' (where did the couple's time and energy for fun go?) and the very self-explanatory 'My Six Year-Old Got Ahold of My Phone.' While not necessarily a must-read, it was a gentle reminder of the truth that exists in comedy.
March 14, 2021
Excellent. All of John Kenney's poetry collections are great. I've now read all 4 and would recommend them to anyone, but especially those who don't normally read poetry and wanted to give it a try.
March 24, 2023
First, this is not a book of love poems even though the title suggests so. If you are searching for sappy, romantic poetry, this one is not for you.
I am binging on poetry-reading right now and was delighted to add this collection to my list. I'd read Kenney's Love Poems for the Office or Wherever first and found it absolutely hilarious so thought I'd try another one of his Love Poems books. This one wasn't as funny as the office-related poetry (I think I only laughed out loud once while reading this one), but many of the poems made me smile and reminisce about parenting woes like sleep deprivation, talkative toddlers, preschool artwork, and overnight summer camp. Overall, this was a cute book for parents, but probably not for everyone.
I am binging on poetry-reading right now and was delighted to add this collection to my list. I'd read Kenney's Love Poems for the Office or Wherever first and found it absolutely hilarious so thought I'd try another one of his Love Poems books. This one wasn't as funny as the office-related poetry (I think I only laughed out loud once while reading this one), but many of the poems made me smile and reminisce about parenting woes like sleep deprivation, talkative toddlers, preschool artwork, and overnight summer camp. Overall, this was a cute book for parents, but probably not for everyone.
October 13, 2019
John Kenney is absolutely hysterical. I read one of his other ‘Love Poems’ books earlier this year and couldn’t get enough of how real and honest it was!
Love Poems for Married People was a delight to read for both my husband and I and we often found ourselves laughing until we cried over one poem or another.
I had no idea that he was working on another book of poems until it arrived on my desk for review. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to read it. So I blocked out an hour of time and read it in one sitting.
This book is perfect for people with children of any age. As luck would have it, my husband and I have a three year old and many of these poems were all too real. I think the one I loved the most was ‘Who Will Be The First To Get Up’. When our son was a baby, this was a constant question we both spent purposely ignoring each night.
Kenney nailed this perpetual debate that new parents have—I could totally tell that my husband was up but he was faking sleep so that I would get up and reading that there are others out there who have this same issue made me chuckle. Kenney is so honest and real in his poetry and I can’t get enough of it.
Personally, I liked Love Poems for Married People better but this one was still humorous with lots to love. This is a great book for new parents or soon to be empty nesters on your shopping list this year! I know that I plan on getting this book for a friend of mine who is also a mother and I sure hope she likes it as much as I did! It’s a fun read that you can spend a quick moment between nap times laughing about the joys of parenthood.
See my full review here
Love Poems for Married People was a delight to read for both my husband and I and we often found ourselves laughing until we cried over one poem or another.
I had no idea that he was working on another book of poems until it arrived on my desk for review. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to read it. So I blocked out an hour of time and read it in one sitting.
This book is perfect for people with children of any age. As luck would have it, my husband and I have a three year old and many of these poems were all too real. I think the one I loved the most was ‘Who Will Be The First To Get Up’. When our son was a baby, this was a constant question we both spent purposely ignoring each night.
Kenney nailed this perpetual debate that new parents have—I could totally tell that my husband was up but he was faking sleep so that I would get up and reading that there are others out there who have this same issue made me chuckle. Kenney is so honest and real in his poetry and I can’t get enough of it.
Personally, I liked Love Poems for Married People better but this one was still humorous with lots to love. This is a great book for new parents or soon to be empty nesters on your shopping list this year! I know that I plan on getting this book for a friend of mine who is also a mother and I sure hope she likes it as much as I did! It’s a fun read that you can spend a quick moment between nap times laughing about the joys of parenthood.
See my full review here
January 5, 2024
definitely some truths in this book and i got a laugh or two, but just not a huge fan of this writing style
January 30, 2021
Some were laugh out loud funny. Many were crass. This was a branch out for me (poetry is not my normal jam), and I enjoyed it.
August 4, 2021
Like many poetry collections, some of these poems were on point, while others were not. One thing is for sure, Kenney perfectly nailed what it's like to be a parent.
June 22, 2023
Very funny, very relatable.
January 31, 2020
This was a laugh out loud pallet refresher that I ended up reading most of aloud to my husband. Pure fun.
October 13, 2021
Even though I don’t have kids, I still enjoyed these poems. Funny stuff!
November 11, 2022
The amount of chuckles I got from this, having to share with my husband, was so worth it. The last third wasn’t quite as humorous, but we could relate….
July 31, 2020
I loved this book and I don't even have kids.
I've heard from so many couples about how relationships and romance changes the moment you have kids. This book is an honest, witty, and humourous depiction of the different stages of parenting (babies, kids, then teenagers).
As someone who doesn't have any kids, I thought the poems were still really funny and that this book would be the perfect gift to give to any couple with kids (I'm adding it to my xmas gift shopping list right now).
Honestly, many of these poems made me think of Claire and Phil Dunphy from Modern Family because of the relateably funny depiction of a typical family
*** #8 of my 2020 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - Read an audiobook of poetry ***
I've heard from so many couples about how relationships and romance changes the moment you have kids. This book is an honest, witty, and humourous depiction of the different stages of parenting (babies, kids, then teenagers).
As someone who doesn't have any kids, I thought the poems were still really funny and that this book would be the perfect gift to give to any couple with kids (I'm adding it to my xmas gift shopping list right now).
Honestly, many of these poems made me think of Claire and Phil Dunphy from Modern Family because of the relateably funny depiction of a typical family
*** #8 of my 2020 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - Read an audiobook of poetry ***
January 14, 2021
Me: Hears good things about this book and orders it to give to the mister for Valentine's Day for a laugh. Receives the book and decides to flip through it to see if its any good.
Also me: Accidentally binges the entire thing in one sitting.
A delightfully wry look at love and relationships when you have children.
Also me: Accidentally binges the entire thing in one sitting.
A delightfully wry look at love and relationships when you have children.
December 2, 2021
Funny, relatable, and easy to digest in a single sitting.
From how having children affects intimacy to the generous white lies we tell our children to make them feel talented and special (because they ARE but maybe just not at everything) to the facade of social media, this really hit home.
4 Stars
From how having children affects intimacy to the generous white lies we tell our children to make them feel talented and special (because they ARE but maybe just not at everything) to the facade of social media, this really hit home.
4 Stars
May 2, 2023
As a mother of two ADHD boys, I approve. 🍷😂
~~~~~
This book didn’t really feel like poetry, but I’m not an avid poetry reader, nor am I a critic. I like what I like, and this book had me laughing from page 1…and it kept me laughing. Laughter is one of my favorite things, so this book was enjoyable - so much to relate to!
~~~~~
This book didn’t really feel like poetry, but I’m not an avid poetry reader, nor am I a critic. I like what I like, and this book had me laughing from page 1…and it kept me laughing. Laughter is one of my favorite things, so this book was enjoyable - so much to relate to!
January 13, 2024
So much better than the Married People collection!! These poems were humorous and showed the messy, unclassy side of life with and after kids. These are not poems about the beauty and wonder of parenthood, but more about the wondering how you're still functioning as an adult while dealing with the mess that can be kids. It portrayed that side of parenting perfectly and cracked me up.
September 12, 2020
Wonderful
January 9, 2022
Definitely relatable. Definitely laughed out loud at a few. 😂
May 26, 2022
I didn’t find this one as funny as Love Poems for the Office
February 12, 2024
It definitely had some funny poems that parents could relate too but I didn’t find myself completely relating to more than 50% of the book. Overall it was a good read that went by quickly.
January 20, 2025
So funny 😆
January 27, 2020
Truth.
April 21, 2022
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 재밌음
April 24, 2024
Definitely expecting more relatable humor instead of whatever sad cynicism this is.
February 19, 2023
This is a lovely book of light and fluffy poems. They’re relevant for parents and funny, and it was nice to read a few before bed. They remind me of a cup of tea before bed - not necessarily powerful and profound; rather, homey and just enough to keep you grounded.
April 18, 2022
This was not as entertaining as Love Poems for Married People but it had its moments.
July 2, 2024
Very entertaining- especially if you’ve had children and have lived through many of these same scenarios….
January 29, 2020
Looking forward to his next book of poems. Spot on in so many ways!
December 31, 2019
I enjoy a good collection of poems. I enjoy humor about parenting and kids. Who knew there was a way to get both in one book! John Kenney knew that it was possible and wrote a lovely set of poems about being a parent. Mind you this isn’t a set of poems saying parenting is amazing and glorifies parents. No, this set of poems looks at what a parent really is. A person trying to survive. Kids can be difficult and all you want to do is escape. Sure you love your kids but they can be impossible. If you want a light hearted look at parenting and all the woes that are included pick this book up. Plus it poetry so it’ll look like you’ve got some culture in you too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews